Bracket construction



Nov. 10, 1936.

H. F. KEIL 2,060,760

BRACKET CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 8, 1954 H H fl'emy I. jieil BY aw M WQM ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 10, 1936 PATENT OFFIQE BRACKET CONSTRUCTION Henry F. Keil, Scarsdale, N. Y., assignor to Francis Keil & Son, Inc., a corporation of New York Application December 8, 1934, Serial No. 756,677

18 Claims.

This invention relates to bracket and support construction, particularly to such construction adapted to be related to a wall or the like for the support of hats, coats, garments, meats, or other articles that have to be hung or supported for display or storage.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an inexpensive but strong and durable con struction of the above-mentioned character. Another object is to provide a supporting structure of the above-mentioned type that is compact, strong and neat in appearance. Another object is to provide a construction of the abovementioned character that may be quickly and easily installed and that is flexible in rearrangement or installation to meet varying conditions of practical use. Another object is to provide a construction of the above-mentioned character in which the individual parts may be inexpensively fabricated and easily and inexpensive ly assembled. Another object is to provide a construction of the above-mentioned character which may be shipped in knocked-down and compact form and capable of speedy assembly and installation without requiring unusual skill. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure l is a. perspective view of an illustrative installation of a hook and bracket construction;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional View, as seen along the line 22 of Figure 1, being on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale, as seen along the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, as seen along the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view, as seen along the line 5-5 of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view, as seen 1 along the line 66 of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throuhgout the several views in the draw- 1 ing.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of my invention, it may at this point be noted that display or storage racks or supports, as heretofore constructed, for articles such as meats, shoulders of beef, hams, etc., particularly when employed in retail butcher shops and also when employed in storage rooms, whether refrigerated or not, have been crude, cumbersome, ineificient and unsightly, and incapable of speed or case of installation, being in the main of a built-in construction usually both constructed and erected at the place of installation. One of the dominant aims of this invention is to provide a construction that avoids such difliculties and deficiencies as these and that dependably achieves such objects as have earlier above been noted.

Referring now to Figure 1, let it be assumed that the particular installation requires the mounting of a suitable number of hooks H, suitably spaced from each other and suitably spaced from the wall I of the room, building, or space in question.

Accordingly, I provide a beam-like member ll of any desired length and I preferably construct the member H of a suitably heavy sheet metal, rolling, drawing, or otherwise forming it to give it a cross-section as is better shown in Figure 2. From Figure 2 it will be seen that the sheet metal member II is substantially square in cross-section and hence substantially hollow; it is formed or shaped to provide a front wall II from which there extend rearwardly and substantially parallel to each other and at rightangles to the front wall ll the upper wall portion I I and a lower wall portion H The latter, however, are bent inwardly toward each other to provide two rear flanges ll and H directed toward each other, extending parallel to the front wall I l and lying in a common plane. In effect, it will be seen that the member ll, when viewed from the right in Figure 2, is substantially U-shaped.

At suitable intervals along the front wall li of the beam l l I provide therein slots or holes I 2, these being preferably rectangular in shape, for a purpose later described in detail.

The thus-described shape or cross-section or construction of the beam H is one that may be easily fabricated and at low cost; moreover, it is one that is light in weight, but because of. the shape of its cross-section and particularly because of the numerous angular relations between its walls and'fianges, it is one that has great. strength and great resistance to bending. If fabricated out of sheet metal of a thickness on the order of one-sixteenth of an inch or more, its rigidity and strength are adequate to meet extremely severe conditions in practical use.

Moreover, the above-described cross-sectional shape of the beam I I provides another feature of construction and action which coacts with other features in a unique and advantageous manner, as will later be described, but it might at this point be noted that the spring action of the metal of the upper and lower walls II and H (see Figure 2) and of the front wall II and the angular relations therebetween make the otherwise fixed spacing between the parallel edges of the rear flanges l I and I I yieldably variable.

The beam H is supported in spaced relation with respect to the wall it], preferably by brackets I3 and I4 (Figure 1), any suitable number of which, illustratively two and one adjacent each end of the beam II, may be employed. The brackets I3l may be rigidly supported from or by any suitable rigid support, illustratively the wall In by illustrative and preferred means later described. Brackets I3-I4 are preferably of identical construction and hence the description in detail of one of them will sufiice for all of them.

Accordingly, reference may now be made to Figure 2 in which bracket I3 is shown on an enlarged scale. Preferably the bracket I3 is made of a suitable heavy sheet metal, for example, a sheet metal of a thickness of one-eighth of an inch or more, and its shape, as about to be described, will be seen to be one that may be easily given it by stamping.

Still referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the bracket I3 may be given the shape of a triangle, illustratively an isosceles triangle with its base edge It extending vertically and adapted to be secured to the wall I 6, that illustrative shape lending an attractive symmetry of appearance.

The left-hand or base edge IEW of the bracket I3 may be provided with a plurality of pairs of hook-shaped parts I5I5 and Iii-45 lying in the same plane with the bracket I3 and adapted to extend through suitably spaced slots II alined vertically in a main support I8 whose cross-section may be substantially like that of the member H, as viewed in Figure 2, and whose crosssection is better shown in Figure 6. Supporting member I8 may likewise be easily and inexpensively fabricated out of sheet metal, may be made in any desired length and with any desired number of appropriately spaced vertical slots Ii in the front wall Ill and may be secured to the wall I8, with the rear flanges 58 and I8 thereof resting flat against the wall Ie'l (see Figure 6). Suitable screws, bolts, expansion bolts, or the like, indicated at IE9 and I20 (Figure 1) illustratively positioned at the respective ends of the member I8, rigidly secure the latter to the wall I0. As appears in Figure l, a companion member I8 is provided for the other bracket I l.

The bracket I3 is also provided with one or more, illustratively two, slots I9 and 20, each opening in the base edge I3 of the bracket. The slot I9 has a narrow portion I9 extending from the base edge 13 and a Wider portion 59 The edges of the narrow portion I9 of the slot I9 slidably support a cylindrical head 2|, the latter being appropriately slotted externally at diametrically opposite places for that purpose, as is indicated in Figure 2. Moreover, the head 2! has, on its left-hand face, as viewed in Figure 2, a projection 2| which, when the head 2I is forced to the left and into the position shown in Figure 2, just enters the upper portion of the slot I? that is not occupied by the neck of the hookshaped part I5 of the bracket I3, thereby preventing the bracket I3 from being intentionally or accidentally moved upwardly as would be necessary to disengage the hooks I5!5 and IGI5 from in back of the front wall I3 of the support The bracket I3 and the support I8, inter-- hooked as above described and as shown in Figure 2, are held in assembled or clamped relation by the head 2I upon whose threaded shank or screw 22 is a knurled nut 23 accommodated in the Wider portion I9 of the slot IS, the nut, thus interfitting with this wider portion I9 of the slot, being prevented from axial movement in the direction of the screw 22-25.

Accordingly, when the nut 23 is rotated by manual manipulating, the head 2| and the screw 22 (formed as a unit) are forced to the left along the narrow portion I9 of the slot and head 2| securely clamps the front wall I8' of the support I8 between itself and the depending or hookshaped parts of the members I5I5. A similar construction and arrangement may be asso}- ciated with the hook-shaped parts I6-I6. Thereby the vertical position of the brackets I3I l may be determined or varied at will, depending upon the conditions met within practice, and accordingly, the height of the beam II (see Figure 1) may be fixed as desired, since the beam I I is carried or supported by the brackets I3-I4.

Considering now the interrelation between the beam II and the bracket I 3I4, it will suffice to consider the mechanical interconnection between the beam and only one of the brackets I3I4 for the connections are identical, and accordingly reference may be made to Figure 2 in which the mechanical interrelation between the beam II and the bracket I3 is shown and the description of which will suffice for the other.

Now the bracket I3, generally triangular in shape as above-mentioned, has, however, its apex cut off at a point such as to make the member I3, when viewed from the left in Figure 2, substantially trapezoidal, its upper side (the right-hand vertical side, as viewed in Figure 2) being of greater length than the vertical dimension of the beam I-I, so that, in stamping or otherwise forming the bracket I3, a recess 24 of sufficient dimension to accommodate therein the beam I I may be formed.

This recess or socket 24 is generally square in shape, thereby approximating the square crosssection of the beam II. Its mouth Z l just about equals the maximum vertical dimension of the beam II, and accordingly the latter may be freely entered into the recess 24.

The depth of the recess 24, that is, its horizontal dimension, as viewed in Figure 2 is preferably just about equal to the depth or horizontal dimension of the beam II, thereby bringing the front wall I I e of the beam I I in substantial alinement with the endmost or front portions of the bracket I 3,

Integrally formed with the bracket I3, lying in the plane of the latter, and projecting into the recess or socket 24, is a part 25 which, when viewed as seen in Figure 2, is rounded or curved, being illustratively and conveniently shaped so, that it has a neck-like part 25 that is restricted or of less dimension than the major vertical dimension of the headed part 25* thereof, all as slightly greater than the normal spacing between the rear flanges I I and I I e of the beam II but the generally horizontal sides or edges 24 and 24 of the recess 24 are inclined toward each other and toward the mouth 24 of the recess 24 by such degrees or angles that the side walls 24 and 24 of the socket or recess 24 will accom modate the upper and lower walls II and II c of the beam I I as the latter is forced into and ultimately bottomed in the socket 24; during this latter action the upper and lower curved edges or faces of the head portion 25 of the locking member 25 cam the rear flanges I I and II of the beam II away from each other, and correspondingly spring the upper and lower walls II b and II apart, these parts, however, due to the iresiilency or spring action earlier above described, returning substantially to normal, as shown in Figure 2, and the rear flanges II and II are thereby caused yieldingly but securely to grip therebetween the locking member 25 but at the neck portion 25 thereof.

Inasmuch as the slot or space between the rear flanges II and II extends preferably continuously throughout the beam I I, as in the preferred construction of the latter as above described, it will be seen that the beam II may have related to it any number of brackets like bracket I3 or I4 and more particularly at any point or points in the length of the beam II; hence wide flexibility of construction and arrangement are achieved.

Moreover, the beam H thus becomes detachably assembled to the bracket I3 and to any other similar brackets that may be related thereto but in a strong, durable and rigid manner, well adapted not only to take heavy strains due to direct load but also to resist, or to take up in the bracket I3, torsional strains or stresses that tend to rotate or swing the beam I I about its longitudinal axis.

As earlier above mentioned the front wall II 0f the beam II is provided with a suitable number of suitably spaced slots or holes I2 (Figure 3) preferably rectangular in shape. These slots are thereby adapted to coact with the rear flanges II and II of the beam II to hold and receive the shanks 26 (Figure 3) of such other supporting devices or brackets, illustratively the hooks I-I above-mentioned, and they do so preferably in the following way:

Referring again to Figure 3, the part H may be given any suitable form or shape, depending upon the purpose to be accomplished; it may be given the shape of a hook adapted to retain garments, etc., or the like, or it may be given the shape of a relatively pointed hook, such as is better adapted to be engaged by articles or products, such as meats, quarters of beef, hams, etc., that are to be suspended. Preferably it has a rear flat face 21 adapted to rest flatwise against the front face II of the beam II and integrally formed with the part H and extending rearwardly and at right angles to the rear face 21 thereof is the shank 26 already above mentioned, shank 26 being rectangular in cross-section (see Figure 4), its cross-section adjacent the rear face 2'! substantially matching the rectangular shape of the slot or hole I 2, thereby to insure snug interfitting therebetween. From that end of the shank 26, the latter preferably tapers when viewed from the side as it is seen in Figure 3, terminating in a head portion 26 appropriately rounded, as shown in Figure 3, with a restricted or smallerdimensioned neck portion 26 therebetween.

The major vertical dimension of the head portion 26 as viewed in Figure 3, is greater than the spacing between the edges of the flanges I I and II and hence is greater than the width of the slot formed by these spaced. flanges. The vertical dimension of the neck portion 25 is just about equal to and preferably slightly in excess of the vertical dimension of the slot or space between the flanges II and H Accordingly, member H may be assembled to the beam I I at any point along the length of the latter where there has been provided a slot I 2 by simply inserting the shank 26 through the slot or hole I2 and then applying sufficient force to the member H or, as may also be the case in assembling the beam II to a bracket l3, by apply- J ing thereto an appropriate blow or tapping as by a mallet, to cause the curved faces of the headed portion 25 to cam the parts li -4 I and II I I away from each other to permit the headed portion 26 to pass through the slot between the flanges M and i l The member H with its shank 25 comes to rest with its rear face 2'! flush against the front face of the wall li of the beam Ii, where it is held by the gripping action of the spring-pressed flanges II and ii and by the resultant cam or drawing-in action thereof upon the headed portion 2%, the spring action tending to cause the flanges li and li always to tend to bottom in the upper and lower recesses formed by the neck portion 2% and i which is slightly to the right (Figure 3) of the gripping flanges themselves.

Thus a simple but strong and secure and at the same time readily detachable assembly of the several parts is successfully achieved and, moreover, at minimum expense, for the parts H may be of. inexpensive construction, being readily adapted to casting.

A similar drawing-in action takes place as a result of the gripping action of the flanges i i and II upon the locking member 25 in the bracket I3 (Figure 2), and thereby the beam I I is snugly bottomed in the recess 24 with the flanges II and II snugly held against the vertical bottom portions of the recess.

When completely assembled as in the illustration shown in Figure 1, it will be noted that the slot or lengthwise extending space between the rear flanges II and II of the beam II faces toward the wall, is thus not exposed to view, and the beam I I has every appearance of being solid. The cross-section of the beam H and the substantially similar cross-section of the vertical supports I8I8 (Figure l) lend themselves, furthermore, to inexpensive and simple carrying out of any desired decorative scheme; for example, referring to Figure 1, ornaments B, B, etc., and A, A, etc., of. sheet metal, or any other suitable material, and appropriately shaped or designed for decorative purposes, are each provided with shanks, generally square in cross-section, one of which is shown at S in Figure 6 but all of which may be of the same configuration; they are shaped to be received within the open ends of the members I8 or I I but instead of being exactly square in cross-section (see now Figure 6) each shank is somewhat trapezoidal in cross-section. The major dimension of this cross-section is the one that is to be received within the particular member l8 or II but remote from the front wall I8 or Il respectively, thereof, and that dimension is slightly greater than the inside spacing between the side walls of the generally channelshaped members I8 and II. In this manner, the above-described yielding or gripping action of the side walls, illustratively the walls [l and H of the member II, as seen in Figure 3, may be utilized to hold the decorative devices B, B, etc., and A, A, etc., in assembled relation to their respective parts; they need simply be forced sufiiciently to cause their shanks S to enter the open ends of these members and to be securely gripped as above described.

In practice it is frequently desirable to relate to structures of the kind above described, an auxiliary support, such as a shelf or, more frequently, a wire basket, particularly where the construction is to function as a garment rack, the shelf or basket being thereby available for the retention of hats, packages, or the like. I accordingly provide such a shelf and in Figure 5 I have shown it in vertical cross-section and in the form of any suitably woven wire member 28 which may be shaped to provide it with a rear wall 28 and a front wall 28 of any suitable height or depth. The front wall 28 or the right-hand or front edge of the member 28 is provided at suitable intervals with laterally projecting lugs or extensions 29 which are adapted to be thereby received within the slot between the rear flanges l I and I l of the beam l l, and in those portions of the slot intervening the lugs 26 of the devices H. The member 28 may be of any appropriate dimension lengthwise of the beam H, as may be desired, but its width or transverse dimension is substantially such that it snugly fits in between the wall Ill (Figure 5) and the rear face of the beam ll, thereby bringing its rear wall 28 flush against the wall H] to which it may be secured as by suitable screws or other fastening devices indicated at 30.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided in this invention a construction in which the various objects above noted, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are suc cessfully achieved. It will be seen that the construction is simple, inexpensive but strong and durable, may be easily and quickly installed and assembled, and is easily and quickly adapted to meet the varying and peculiar conditions met with in practice. It will be seen, furthermore, that its flexibility of assembly, coupled with the ease and inexpensiveness with which different lengths of beam or of vertical supports or of brackets and the like may be furnished make it possible in a facile and inexpensive way to meet a wide variety of practical requirements or conditions. Moreover, it will be seen that the construction is light yet strong, and rugged, yet neat in appearance.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawing, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of laterally spaced main supports, each having exposed forwardly thereof an open recess in the bottom of which is a locking member joined thereto by a neck portion of smaller dimension than the major dimension of said locking member, and a beam-like member of substantially channel-shaped cross-section whose front wall is provided with a series of slots and whose opposed rearwardly extending walls are provided with flanges extending toward one another but spaced apart by a dimension less than the major dimension of said locking member, whereby said beam-like member may be inserted into said recesses of said supports and said flanges forced over the locking member and into engagement with said neck-like portion, and a plurality of auxiliary supports each provided with a shank having a forward portion shaped to fit one of said slots and a rear head-like portion whose major dimension is greater than the spac ing between said flanges and capable of being forced through and beyond the space between said flanges.

2. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of laterally spaced main supports, each having exposed forwardly thereof an open recess in the bottom of which is a locking member joined thereto by a neck portion of smaller dimension than the major dimension of said locking member, said recesses each being substantially trapezoidal in shape with said bottom being the larger base of said cross-section, and a sheet-metal beam-like member bridged across said supports and cross-sectioned to he received into and through the open end of said recess and having yieldable means at its rear face for being yieldably forced over said locking member to engage said neck portion, said trapezoidal cross-section of said recess permitting transverse expansion of said beam-like member as said means are forced over said locking membar to take place. 3. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of laterally spaced main supports, each having exposed forwardly thereof an open recess in the bottom of which is a locking member joined thereto by a neck portion of smaller dimension than the major dimension of said locking member, the mouth of said recesses being of smaller dimensions than the bottom thereof, and a cross-beam extending from one support to the next and dimensioned to be passed through the mouth of said recesses and being transversely and yieldably expansible to be thereby forced over said locking members and to engage the neck portions in said recesses.

4. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of laterally spaced main supports, each having exposed forwardly thereof an open recess in the bottom of which is a locking member joined thereto by a neck portion of smaller dimension than the major dimension of said locking member, and a beam-like member extending from one support to the next and fitted into the recesses in said supports, said member having opposed relatively yieldable portions gripping said neck portions of the locking members in said recesses but yieldably relatively separable to permit them to be forced over said locking members.

5. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of spaced supports each provided with a head-like portion joined thereto by a neck-like portion of lesser dimension than said head-like portion and each having, adjacent said head-like portion, means forming a seat, and a transverse supporting member extending from one support to the next and resting against the seats therein and having opposed members, one of which is yieldable relative to the other, adapted therebyto be passed over said head-like portion and to engage said necklike portion.

6. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of spaced supports each provided with a head-like portion joined thereto by a neck-like portion of lesser dimension than said head-like portion and each having, adjacent said head-like portion, means forming a seat, and a transverse supporting member made of sheet metal and having a substantially U- shaped cross-section and extending from one support to another, the arms of said U-shaped crosssectioned member being yieldable relative to one another and at their ends being spaced apart by a distance normally commensurate with the dimension of said neck-like portions, whereby said head-like portions may be forced in between said arms, said member having portions resting against the seats of said supports.

7. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of spaced supports each provided with a head-like portion joined thereto by a neck-like portion of lesser dimension than said head-like portion and a tube-like transverse member extending from one support to the next, said tube-like member having a slit extending longitudinally thereof whose width is commensurate with the dimension of said neck-like portions, the latter being received in said slit and said head-like portions extending inside of said tube-like member.

8. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of spaced supports each provided with a head-like portion joined thereto by a neck-like portion of lesser dimension than said head-like portion and a tube-like transverse member extending from one support to the next, said tube-1ike member having a slit extending longitudinally thereof whose width is commensurate with the dimension of said necklike portions, the latter being received in said slit and said head-like portions extending inside of said tube-like member, and an auxiliary support carried by said tube-like member and having a part shaped to provide two portions joined by a smaller-dimensioned neck-like portion with the latter received in said slit and each of the former extending to one side of the wall in which said slit is.

9. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of spaced supports each provided with a head-like portion joined thereto by a neck-like portion of lesser dimension than said head-like portion and a tube-like transverse member extending from one support to the next, said tube-like member having a slit extending longitudinally thereof whose width is commensurate with the dimension of said necklike portions, the latter being received in said slit and said head-like portions extending inside of said tube-like member, said tube-like member having an aperture in a wall thereof opposite said slit, and an auxiliary support having a shank that passes through said aperture and terminates in an enlargement that extends exteriorly beyond said slit, said enlargement having a greater dimension than the width of said slit.

10. In construction of the character described, in combination, supporting means having headlike means projecting therefrom and joined thereto by neck-like means of smaller dimension than said head-like means, and means shaped to support an article or the like and secured to said supporting means by securing means which comprises two opposed relatively yieldable parts normally spaced apart by a dimension commensurate with the dimension of said neck-like means and adapted yieldably to be forced apart and over said head-like means.

11. In construction of the character described, in combination, an elongated member of sheet material substantially tubular in cross-section but having a slit extending lengthwise thereof and having a plurality of apertures substantially alined with said slit but juxtaposed thereto, and a support having a part receivable through any one of said apertures and of a length suflicient to extend through and beyond said slit, the portion that extends beyond the slit having a dimension in excess of the width of the slit.

12. In construction of the character described, in combination, a tube-like support having a slot extending lengthwise thereof, the material of said member being resilient and thereby causing the walls of said slot to be yieldable one relative to the other, and a device adapted to coact in supporting an article or the like and having two portions joined by a neck-like part Whose dimension is commensurate with the normal width of said slot, one of said portions being exterior of said tube-like member and the other being interior thereof with the neck-like part in said slot.

13. In construction of the character described, in combination, an elongated horizontally extending member and a plurality of hooks, each hook having a headed shank and said member having yieldable opposed gripping parts through which the headed portions of the shanks may be forced.

14. In construction of the character described, in combination, an elongated support having a plurality of apertures in the front wall thereof and having means to the rear of said front wall providing opposed yieldably acting gripping members extending throughout substantially the entire length of said front wall, and a member having means insertable through any selected aperture and provided with a part of greater dimension than the normal spacing between said gripping members and positioned to be forced in between and beyond the latter.

15. In construction of the character described, in combination, a sheet metal bracket stamping having two portions providing a seat with a camsurfaced head-like member projecting away therefrom and joined thereto by a neck-like portion of lesser dimension than said head-like portion, and supporting means having two parts adapted to be seated against said seat, one of which portions is yieldable relative to the other, whereby said portions may be yieldably separated and forced over said cam-surfaced head-like portion and caused to grip said neck-like portion and to true said support against said seat.

16. In construction of the character described, in combination, a plurality of spaced supports, an elongated member extending from one support to the other, an auxiliary supporting member, one of said members having two opposed portions one of which is yieldable relative to the other, means detachably relating said supporting member to said elongated member and comprising a portion on the other of said members receivable between and grasped by said yieldable opposed portions of said one member, and means securing said elongated member to said spaced supports.

17. In construction of the character described,

in combination, a tube-like member having a slot and means coacting with said slot and gripped by the opposed walls of the latter and at any selected point therealong for detachably relating to said tube-like member an auxiliary support, device, or the like.

18. A construction as claimed in claim 16 in which said opposed yieldable portions are on said elongated member and in which said securing means comprises parts on said spaced supports shaped to be received between and gripped by said yieldable opposed portions of said elongated member.

HENRY F. KEIL. 

